According to reports, several high-ranking officials and soldiers of M23 have been arrested or disciplined over charges ranging from theft, corruption, and illegal trade and  murder. The move comes after the group seized the cities of Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu, where incidents of illegal mining, looting, and smuggling surged.

Among those implicated is Col. Jimmy Nzamuye, formerly the commander of M23 forces in Goma.   After a brief detention, he was released but removed from his position and reassigned to Masisi as an operations planner.

Brigadier General Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, M23’s Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of operations and intelligence, has spent a week in detention after being accused of seizing and selling seven state-owned villas in Goma. His arrest followed a decision by the group’s Disciplinary Commission.

Another senior figure, Ibrahim Makenga, Deputy Director of Security and Intelligence in South Kivu, was also detained on corruption and illicit enrichment charges.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma was held for three weeks, accused of involvement in illegal gold trading reportedly sourced from looting in Bukavu.

Colonel Julien Mahano Baratuje, deputy intelligence chief, faced investigations over alleged corruption and business ties with Chinese investors in the gold sector. While not imprisoned, he was dismissed from his post.

Officer François Kazarama remains in detention in Tchanzu after being accused of killing a man who was residing in his home in Bukavu, while Manzi Musonerwa, linked to stolen car trafficking, was released and reassigned to lead operations in Masisi.

M23 has long been accused of looting, killings, and human rights abuses despite consistently denying the allegations. However, this marks the first time internal disciplinary actions and criminal investigations have been reported within the rebel group since it began consolidating control over parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.